How to set up Snapchat safely

1. 1

   Set up Family Center

   On your child’s phone: Profile → Settings → Family Center → Invite parent. You get an email invitation and accept it in your own Snapchat app. You need your own Snapchat account. Create one if you do not have one — it takes a few minutes.

2. 2

   Review friends and chats

   In Family Center you can see who they chatted with in the last seven days — not the content. Talk about who is a friend and whether any contacts are strangers offline. Streaks and scores are social habits — ask whether they feel pressuring.

3. 3

   Limit Snap Map

   Location is only shared with friends your child accepts — but Ghost Mode is the safest choice. See our Snap Map guide for step-by-step help. In Family Center you can see whether location is shared. Agree they do not share live location without talking to you first.

4. 4

   Teen settings and contact

   Teen accounts are set to receive contact mainly from friends and phone contacts. Review Settings → Privacy and check who can contact them, send friend requests and view stories. Check again after updates — Snapchat changes settings from time to time.

5. 5

   Purchases and Snapchat+

   Snapchat+ and in-app purchases are billed through the App Store or Google Play. Use Ask to Buy, Family Link or Screen Time — Snapchat has no own spending cap. Remove saved payment cards in the store if present. Gift cards can bypass store limits.

Want to understand how Snapchat works? Try the App & Game Decoder. For harassment or images shared without consent: SletDet at Save the Children Denmark. Save screenshots of harassment if your child wants to report it.